$9000 top at Narrogin sale

Average prices were on the up and up at the Countryman Invitational Bull Sale held at Narrogin last week.

Of the 52 bulls offered, 45 sold for an average price of $6183, which was up $1281/head on last year with an improved clearance rate.

As host of the sale, WA College of Agriculture, Narrogin, president Stephen Watt said the sale, which is ran by the Invitational Bull Sale committee, provided students with insight into the industry.

“Having beef cattle studs visit the school works both ways with students able to watch industry in action and industry able to view the agricultural school’s progression,” he said.

Poll Hereford

A total of 31 Poll Hereford bulls were on offer, with 26 selling for an average price of $6538.

The overall $9000 sale top-priced bull was out of the Terraneil line-up, presented by stud principals Terry and Sandy Woods, of Beverley.

Terraneil Ed K59 sold to repeat buyer Ian McKay, of Three Springs.

Mr McKay said he would use the bull in his Simmental cross breeding program.

The bull was sired by Terraneil Eureka E121 and out of T Gemstone G57 and recorded Estimated Breeding Values of +33, +47, +72 for 200, 400 and 600-day weights and was positive for rib (+0.7) and rump (+0.8) fat.

Terraneil stud also achieved two of the three $8750 equal second top-priced sale bulls with the first selling to Shane Kelliher, of Kelliher Brothers, Wandering, and the other to Boddington producer Jeff Gibbs.

Mr Gibbs also bought a Quaindering Poll Hereford bull for $8750.

This bull, Quaindering Monarsh K67, sired by Little Trefoil Monarch F22, recorded EBVs of +40, +66 (top 5 per cent) and +101 (top 1 per cent) for 200, 400 and 600-day weights and had a top 15 per cent for intramuscular fat of +0.6.

Quaindering co-principal John Cowcher, of Williams, said he selected the LT Monarch F22 sire for good eye placement and overall soundness.

“The sire has bred true to type and has improved the breed as good doers, particularly in harsh environments which WA certainly had in 2015,” he said.

Mr Gibbs said the sale bulls were excellent.

“I was looking for depth and good bone in my selections to put over my pure Poll Hereford herd of 200 breeders,” he said.

Volume buyer Shane Kelliher bought a total of four Poll Hereford bulls for an average price of $7625.

“The Poll Hereford line-up was a fantastic presentation of bulls,” he said.

“We run a Shorthorn base herd and put the Poll Hereford bulls over our red cows and produce yearling beef cattle that we market around 16 to 18 months of age.”

Also offering bulls for the first time at the sale, Eric Moltoni, of Greenland stud, Pemberton, was pleased to sell a bull for $7750 to account BP & NC McGinty, of Greenbushes.

Another highlight of the Poll Hereford sale result was a Terraneil bull that sold to overeast interest with repeat buyer P & N Dakin, of Dubbo, NSW, the successful bidders through phone link up with Elders.

A Quaindering bull, which sold for $4500, with all proceeds going to Pinjarra’s Bush Fire Relief Appeal, was by kind donation of Quaindering principals John and Heidi Cowcher.

Lincoln Red

David and Kate Turner, of Tone Park Lincoln Red stud, of Tonebridge, presented six bulls of which four sold to a top of $7750 and average price of $6125, up $1768 per head on last year.

The $7750 top-priced bull, Tone Park K5, was sold to repeat buyer Trevor McIntosh, of Youngs Siding.

The 820kg bull was sired by Tone G8, going back to AI sire Sir Fort Essex, an United Kingdom import, and out of Tone C16.

Mr Turner said the standout bull was one of the best from Tone Park and he was hoping to get the new owners permission to show the bull at this year’s Sydney Royal.

Mr McIntosh also paid $5750 for another bull which was a half brother to K5.

“I was selecting for conformation, meaty bulls that are docile,” Mr McIntosh said.

“I run a cross breeding program but am breeding towards pure Lincoln Reds.”

Also making an impact on the Tone Park line-up, was first time buyer Jann Dixon-Hughes, of Hughlock Lincoln Red stud, Denman, NSW, who paid $7000 for Tone K4.

Miss Dixon-Hughes will put the 800kg bull to work in her stud introducing new genetics and was thrilled her trip to WA paid-off.

Murray Grey

Lindsay Bagshaw, of Young Guns Murray Grey stud, Hyden, had a very successful sale selling all 13 bulls offered to a top-price of $7750 and average price of $5442, up $817 per head on last year.

The $7750 top-price bull, Young Guns Kentucky K41, sold to first time buyer Pallinup River Stud Farm through phone link up with Elders.

Kentucky K41 was sired by Young Guns Foster and our of YG Brenna H42 and was described as a low birth weight bull that was thick and meaty and well suited to mate with heifers and would be ideal for prime steer production.

Pallinup River also paid $5750 for another bull.

Collie producer JB Phillips paid $7500 for Young Guns Kahlua K46.

The 868kg bull was described as a strong performer sired by YG Groovy that has great growth for age and is out of the well known Vell family.

Mr Bagshaw said K46’s dam, YG Vell F90, is a milky cow which is from an elite female line with consistent high-performing progeny.

The Young Guns line-up attracted 12 different buyers.

Shorthorn

New vendor, the Price family, of Talgarth Shorthorn stud, Bindoon, offered and sold two bulls to a top-price of $6750 and average price of $6500.

The $6750 top-priced bull, Talgarth Alex K118, was judged the senior champion of the breed at the 2015 Perth Royal Show.

Shane Kelliher bought both bulls which in addition to his Poll Hereford secured bulls fulfilled his families seedstock requirements at the one venue.

“We fully support the college venue and find it suits our requirements,” he said.